The switch-hitting Jones was swinging as a left-handed hitter when he saw three consecutive fastballs from Papelbon. Jones pulled the third pitch deep into the right-field seats.

Then came the celebration every player cherishes -- none more than the 40-year-old Jones, who is retiring after the season.

"In that mob scene at the plate, you kind of get lost in it, time kind of stands still," Jones said. "You're not really thinking about any of that other stuff. You're just thrilled that you won a game.

"Nothing beats that. That's as good as it gets."

Jones has two game-ending homers this season, both against the Phillies. On May 2 in Atlanta, his 11th-inning, two-run shot gave the Braves a 15-13 victory.

This victory was more important, because the Braves appeared bound for their fourth consecutive loss. There was growing talk the team could stage of repeat of its collapse in September of 2011 when it blew a wild-card lead. The 2011 collapse ended with three consecutive home losses to the Phillies.

Talk of another September failure would have grown if the Braves had been swept. Instead, they boosted their status as the NL wild-card leader.

"This is something I think we need right here," Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez said. "This is something to get the team going again and get the juices flowing again.

"He came through again. ... It's unbelievable."

The Phillies led 7-1 after three innings and carried a four-run advantage into the ninth.

Braves SS Andrelton Simmons, who has been on the disabled list since July 13 with a broken right little finger, will begin a rehab assignment at Double-A Mississippi on Monday. Gonzalez said Simmons could come off the DL as soon as next weekend.

RHP Kris Medlen will start as the Braves remain home to open a four-game series against RHP Tyler Chatwood and Colorado on Monday. Phillies RHP Tyler Cloyd will face Johnny Cueto and the Reds in Cincinnati on Monday.

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